Granted, the market was at best minute and any return wasn't going to be much more than a box of tape or a bucket of pucks, but Edmonton Oilers GM Steve Tambellini has one less bargaining chip to play between now and the NHL trade deadline, thanks to Nikolai Khabibulin's tender groin.

Ales Hemsky's days in an Oiler uniform appear to be near the end. The 2001 draft pick has thrilled and frustrated and led the team offensively for a decade, but with the heart of the team 9 or 10 years younger it may be time to move on. Where will he go? There are two strong candidates and a sleeper.

Playoffs are a distant hope for the third straight season in Edmonton this year. The focus now shifts to the pending trade deadline, the kids and, eventually, the draft. This week Allan visits with California hockey fan and writer Earl Sleek, welcomes various voices familiar with both pro and amateur Edmonton prospects and shares some reader/listener thoughts on the rapidly approaching deadline.